Panel board and method of wiring the same



June 25, 1935. G. M. REED ET AL PANEL BOARD AND METHOD OF WIRING THE SAME Filed Aug. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventors: i George M. Reed,

June 25, 19350 E ET AL 2,006,150

PANEL BOARD AND METHOD OF WIRING THE SAME Filed Aug. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invent own a: Geovge M. Reed,

Hobehb Paxton,

kw Han/v7 Thain Atbowne Patented June 25, 1935 PANEL BOARD AND METHOD OF WIRIN THE SAME George M. Reed, Yeadon, and Robert Paxton, Drexel Hill, Pal, minors to General Electric Company, a corporation 01 New York Application August 28,1934, Serial No. 741,802

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to panelboards upon the face of which are mounted various electrical devices, such as indicating and recording instruments of various kinds, switches, signal lamps, etc., and on the back of which is a large number of devices such as studs or terminals, terminal blocks, fuse blocks, resistors, etc. and a great many circuit wires. Of these back wires, some are connected to the circuits leading to and from the board while others serve to connect the instruments and devices on the face of the board in various ways. It is by means of these panelboards and devices thereon that the operations of the various switches and other devices carrying the load current are controlled. Being intended for control circuits as distinguished from main line circuits, the amount of current carried by the wires on the back of the board is relatively small and the potentials to which they are subjected are of the order of 110 to 750 volts.

The practice in the manufacture of these panelboards, prior to our invention and which has been in use for a great many years, briefly stated is as follows:

The boards which are relatively large and heavy are in some instances made of sheet steel and in others of insulating material. Regardless of the kind of material, the board has to be properly drilled to receive the various devices which are to be mounted on the front face. The board is also drilled to receive the fastening devices of certain auxiliary electrical devices which are to be mounted on the back of the board, such for example as terminal blocks, resistors, fuse blocks, etc. After this is done, all of said devices both on the front and back of the board are permanently mounted in place. Such a board being relatively large and heavy cannot conveniently be handled. The board thus equipped is then turned over to a wireman to wire the back of the board and who is furnished with a diagram of the circuits. These diagrams, which are usually rather small, show that such and such parts are to be connected but do not show the physical location on the board of the individual wires. Due to the general complication of the parts on the board, placing or locating the wires is dependent upon the residual space on the panel after all of the devices have been mounted in place. From a production viewpoint, it is impracticable to)? wire the panel until after all of the devices have been mounted in their respective positions. Any attempt on a diagram to'indicate exact positions of the wires with the necessary dimensions would entail a vast amount of additional work on the part of the wireman who would have to make innumerable measurements. To avoid this additional work and the expense incident thereto, the problem of physically placing the wires in the best position is left to the skill and discretion of the wireman, who has to spend considerable time in planning the arrangement of the wires before beginning actual work which, of course, adds to the 'cost of the panel. As a practical matter, only a comparatively small number of wiremen having the requisite skill are obtainable orcan reasonably be employed with the result that when the production is largely increased, overtime work for long periods of time has to be resorted to, which further increases the cost of production, and in many cases results in serious delays in shipment. A delay in shipment may and usually does result in holding up important work at the customers plant.

Obviously, the products of one man will differ somewhat, even when identical panels are being wired, and the products of different men may and commonly do appreciably differ one from the other. As the wiring progresses or after it is completed, it is necessary to clamp the wires in place in order to properly support them. This requires that the board be drilled through from the back side to receive the fastening devices. The drilling cannot be done before the wireman starts his work because of the lack of knowledge as to respective positions of these devices. Care is required to see that the holes for the fastening devices do not come too close to the instruments or other devices on the front of the board. In any event, the front surface of the board where the fastening devices are seated or located has to be refinished to cover the ends of the devices so that the face of the board will present a smooth unbroken surface. With such a procedure, it is evident that there can be no permanent record of just exactly how the wires are placed.

Thismay be and sometimes isa serious inconvenience, and delay when the owner of a panel- 'board wants to add one or more instruments to the front thereof or to change instruments or replace wiring and writes the manufacturer for instructions. It may be and usually is a source of inconvenience and delay in furnishing information respecting a repair. v

Another and even greater source of increased cost, inconvenience and delay frequently takes place in the shop of the manufacturer. Under the prior practice, the work of the wireman be'-" gins only when all of the parts or devices to be mounted on the front of the board and all or substantially all of the devices on the back of the board are so mounted. The various instruments and devices for the board are of necessity manufactured in different places, sometimes in the same factory but usually in different factories located in distant cities. Should a failure occur in the delivery of an essential part or piece, the work of the wireman on the panel has to be suspended and the panel put aside, a thing which seriously interferes with the orderly procedure in the assembly part of the factory. Not only this, but it necessitates extra handling of the board, which increases the cost of the product and also requires storage space.

One object of our invention is the provision of an improved panelboard in which all of the wiring is prepared or preformed entirely apart from the board and which is later applied thereto as a unit, each wire being properly supported, positioned and shaped, one with respect to the others,

7, cut to the proper lengths, and provided with the necessary loops or terminals at their free ends to engage the contact stud, terminals or other parts which are fixtures on the board.

Our invention is also directed to an improved method of wiring panelboards and the like whereby the labor involved is greatly reduced and whereby the complete system of wiring is assembled independently of the panelboard to which it is subsequently applied.

Our invention is also directed to an improved method of preparing the wiring of a panelboard or the like whereby one of the elements actually used in the preparation of the wiring also serves as a permanent record for the future of the exact arrangement of the individual wires and electrical devices.

For a consideration of what we believe to be novel and our invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

Before entering into a detail description of our invention, a brief outline thereof will 'be helpful. A draftsman first makes a full size drawing of the back face of the panel on which is indicated by suitable lines the exact position, size and shape of each and every device appearing on the front and rear faces of the board and also lines indicating the position of all of the wires appearing on the back face of the board. Each line made on the drawingrepresenting a wire has a suitable designating character and the line representing a second wire to be connected to the first has the same designation and may also have anyother suitable symbol, thus enabling the wireman to proceed rapidly with his work. Where a given wire is to extend along the back surface of the board for a certain distance and then at right angles outwardly from said surface for connection to an electrical device, the designating symbol may be printed in a different color. In addition, thedrawing is provided with symbols indicating terminals of the electrical devices appearing on the front of theboard. The drawing forms a permanent record of the arrangement of the wiring andof the electrical devices on the board. The drawing, is then turned over to a wireman who uses it as a template. He suitably fastens it to a workbench or table, preferably one having a smooth soft wood top. On top of the template and table is then mounted one, two or more wire supporting strips, depending upon the number of wires and devices to belmounted on the board. For convenience these are termed wiring strips. Each strip, usually but not 118G85- sarily made of aluminum, extends lengthwise of the template and in a plane at right angles to that of the template and has a very large number of perforations, the number of which is not important nor their exact location but preferably the number is considerably greater than is actually required for the wires and other parts. The next step is to mount certain of the parts which are to appear on the back of the board on the Wiring strip or strips. This is done by means of screws entering the perforations and provided with clamping nuts. Either before or after this is done, pins indicating positions of the terminals of various electrical devices on the front and back of the board are driven through the template into the wood table top at the points indicated by the symbols. Where a number of terminals are closely associated or where the wires are run along the back face of the panelboard for a part of their length and then outwardly away from the back face of the board, so-called dummies may be used and held by pins. After this, the wireman begins the actual work of wiring, preferably with well insulated and relatively stiff wire. To

do this, each of the main wires is run alongside of'the wiring strip from a terminal for a certain distance and is then bent sharply to pass through a perforation therein and is. terminated in a loop or terminal corresponding to the position of one of the pins which has been driven into the table top or with an equivalent device on a dummy. This procedure is followed until all of the wires are in their proper places, and the terminals also in their proper places. The number of wires on a panelboard varies with different boards depending upon the use to which they are to be put. A board having individual wires of a number of the order of 500 is not unusual. After the wiring is completed, it and the wiring strip or strips may be conveyed to and applied to the back of a panelboard, and the terminals on the wires secured to the respective terminals of the devices located both on the front and back of the board, or it the board is not ready, the wiring strip and the wires may be hung up until such time as it is.

In the accompanying drawings which are illus-' trative of our invention, Fig. 1 is a diagram of the wiring for the back of a panelboard and also of the wiring strips; Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the wiring and certain devices on the back of the board; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a table showing the wiring in process of completion; Fig. 4 is a detail of a portion of the wiring; Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate certain parts on the back of panelboards; and Fig. 8 is a detail view of a temporary terminal pin.

In carrying out our invention, as before indicated, a draftsman lays out a paper drawing 8 which is of the same size as the panel. On the drawing, which later is used as a template as well as a permanent record, are made outlines of the principal electrical devices which later on are to be mounted on both the front and back faces of the panelboard. These outlines show the exact positions and sizes of the various devices and to distinguish them from other parts are shown in dotted lines 9. Ordinarily, these devices comprise meters, indicating lamps, switches and other control devices, transformers, resistors, rectifiers, etc. The kind and character of the electrical devices is immaterial to a consideration of our invention. For convenience they will collectively be referred to as electrical devices. As an example, but not as a limitation of our invention;

A indicates a rheostat, B another rheostat or a meter, C relays, D a circuit breaker, E rectiilers, F fuse blocks, G resistors, I-I terminal blocks and I meters. Having indicated the positions of all of the electrical devices on the front as well as on'the' back of the board, the draftsman next draws lines In of which there is a very large number to indicate the position of each and all of the wires which are later to be used. Wherever a wire is to end and a terminal formed, the draftsman makes a small circle or symbol such as indicated by I I of which there is a very large number. These'circles or symbols are definitely located one with respect to the other and to the electrical devices on the front and back of the board but no dimensions whatsoever are given or required. All the wireman has to do is to follow the lines, covering each with a wire; this is one of the many advantages incident to our invention. In certain instances, some of the electrical devices, such as rheostats for example, are mounted on the back of the board and only the operating handles appear on the front. Whether the devices are located wholly on the front or partly on the-front and partly on the back, the wiring procedure is the same. The draftsman also applies to the various wires on the drawing suitable numbers, letters or other data showing how each wire is to be connected to a terminal or other part.

The draftsman having completed his work, the drawing is turned over to the wireman for use as. a template. He first fastens the paper template 8 to the wood top; ll of a table or bench of convenient height. @Qn top of the template is placed one or morelwirej. supporting strips III, each having a very large 'n'umberof holes or perforations I4, Fig. 3, suitably arranged in several rows for convenience in The holes are spaced as close together as mechanical considerations will permit. The edges of the holes or perforations on both sides of the strip are chamfered to prevent sharp edges which might cut the insulation on. the wires. For the sake of simplicity, each of these wiring strips is made in a single piece but each may be made of two or more pieces. Single pieces are generally preferable, however, as they facilitate transfer of the wiring as a unit from one place to another. For simple boards, one wiring strip will be sufficient and for boards with more complicated wiring, two or more strips may be used and located one along each edge ofthe board and the other or others between them. An intermediate strip when used can with advantage be raised somewhat from the surface of the board to permit wires to pass under it. Each strip is supported by a foot which may be integral therewith or separate and fastened thereto. The foot is provided with a suitable number of openings Hi to receive bolts for fastening the strip to the panelboard, a convenient number of these openings being utilized to receive pins or other devices to temporarily support the strip on the table. The wiring strips which are first used in laying out and supporting the wiring of the panelboard are later used as a permanent part of the board and serve as permanent supports for the wires. Thus it will be seen that the wiring strips have a double function. To a certain extent the strips also act as reinforcing means for the panelboard. It is to be noted that once the wires are threaded through the strip in a mannerto support them they continue in such relation.

Fig. 5 illustrates one of the wiring strips fastened to the back side of a panelboard I! made of steel. In this case, one edge of the board is turned back as at I8 so that it and the strip form a channel I! for the wires, extending along side of the strip. 20 indicates a longitudinally extending cover for the channel and is fastened to the wiring strip by screws. With this type of board the screw means for fastening the strip in place may be spot welded to the back of the board to avoid drilling operations.

Fig. 6 shows portions of a pair of adjacent panelboards which are made of heavy insulating material. They are connected by metal members 2| through which a suitable support, such as a piece of metal pipe extends. In this case, a wiring strip I3 forms one side of the channel I9 and the L-shaped strip 22 the other two sides.

Fig. 7 shows the same kind of panelboard as in Fig. 6 but the supporting means is different. In this case, each board has an L-shaped edge member 23 bolted to the back thereof, and the members are suitably united. The wiring strips are fastened to the back of the boards as before.

The two channels I9 thusformed are completed or closed by the cover 24 which is common to both. The channels being covered serve to protect the wires from injury as well as from dust and dirt.

i living mounted the wiring strip or strips in plac on the top of the table and having temporarily fastened it or them in place, as shown in Fig. 1, the wireman next permanently fastens to the strip or strips those parts which are to i be supported thereby, for example, the parts E, F, G and H, Fig. 2. For this purpose, small brackets such as 25, are employed and the clamping screws therefor located in convenient openings M in the wiring strip. It is advantageous to mount on the wiring strip those parts which become heated in service because the spacing from the board permits of free dissipation of the heat so generated. In brief, the ventilation is better. Mounting of parts on the wiring strip also avoids drilling holes in the board or spot welding studs thereon. in case of steel boards. If there are parts on the back of the boards which arequire numerous wires extending to terminals thereon spaced outwardly from the surface of the board, it is convenient to employ so-called dummies 28, Fig. 3, made of metal or other material, the shape and size of which may correspond roughly to the size and shape of the electrical device represented thereby. They are accurately located by the template 8 and are fastened to the table top by removable pins or devices 27. Each dummy has a series of pins 28, each of which accurately indicates the distance from the back surface of the board the terminal which it represents. They are also accurately spaced, one with respect to the other on the dummy so that the wireman can determine how long each wire is to be. The number of dummies varies, of course, with the type and number of devices to be mounted in the back of the board.

In addition to the dummies, a large number of pins 30 areidriven into the table top in the various positions indicated by the symbols or circles H of Fig. I. These pins, as indicated in Fig. 8, advantageously may have an outer screw threaded portion to receive a temporary holding nut 3! for the circuit wire terminating thereat. This is useful where a large number of wires terminate at approximately the same place. These pins may also be used to hold the dummies in place. To state the matter briefly, each terminal of every electrical device for the front surface of the panelboard, which on the finished board extends through the board from front to back,

has a pin or equivalent device representing it on the template and supported by the table top. In addition, there are the necessary pins or equivalent devices for electrical devices which in the finished board are located on the back face thereof.

Having set up the parts as described, the wireman proceeds as follows: The insulation is stripped for a short distance from one end of a well insulated wire, such as 32, Fig. 3, for example. Asbestos, when properly treated with a compound and flameproofed, is such an insulation. It will be assumed that the position of the wire in question is indicated by the line 33 located near the bottoms of- Figs. 1 and 2. The end of the wire is threaded through one of the openings M in the wiring strip l3, the particular opening is of no moment so long as it is approximately aligned with a terminal to which the bared end of the wire is to be connected. With the large number of holes in the strip, no trouble will be experienced in this particular. Some of the wires may be located in one of the rows of holes and others in a different row or rows. The bared end of the wire is secured to a terminal say, for example, one of those in the terminal block H which is mounted on the wiring strip near the bottom end thereof. The wire is then extended along the side of the strip l3 to a second line also marked 33 which is at a point approximately in line with terminal pin 34 at the upper part of Figs. 1 and 2. The wire is then bent at right angles and again threaded through the strip following or registering in position with the line 33 on the template to the pin 30. The portion of the wire between the strip and the terminal pin is cut to the proper length, a small length of its insulation removed and an eye or terminal formed which is slipped over the terminal pin. Such an eye or terminal is indicated at 36 on Fig. 3. The procedure outlined above is followed for each of the other wires and in each case the wire is positioned directly over or in register with one of the lines appearing on the template. When all of the wires which extend along side of the wiring strip are in position, they appear substantially as shown in Fig. 3. To prevent them from unduly spreading, they are or may be held by bands or clips 31 made of cord or wire as desired. The clips extend through perforations in the wiring strip and are suitably tied on the inside in the case of a cord or the ends twisted in the case of wire. After the wiring assembly is mounted on the board, the wires which extend along the side (if the wiring strip are located in the channels IQ of Figs. 5, 6 or 7 and enclosed by the cover thereof.

Fig. 3 among other things indicates the arrangement of wires leading from a terminal block such as H to a dummy. One vof the wires, say that numbered 39, for example, passes from the block outwardly through the wiring strip I3, thence along its side to a point opposite a dummy, say the one marked 43 for example, thence inwardly through the Wiring strip to a point about in line with the base of the dummy and finally up to one of the terminal pins 28. Other and similar wires are indicated at 4|. Because these wires each pass twice through the wiring strip first out and then back, ample support therefore is provided. The length of the wire extending inwardly through the wiring strip is so short that it needs no additional support between the time it is being assembled on the template and it is mounted on the panelboard.

In addition to the wires leading upwardly from the terminal blocks near the base of the board, other wires, also connected to the terminal blocks, extend downwardly to the apparatus connected to the electrical devices on the board. These wires are a part of the customers circuits and. usually are not connected to the terminal block until after the panel board is mounted in its final position in the plant but short wires may be connected to the blocks at the factory, if desired. In any event, the ends of the wires adjacent the blocks are threaded through the perforations in the wiring strip I3 and hence supported at least in part by said strip.

It frequently happens that one or more wires are required to have considerable length after passing through the wiring strip. Where this is the case, they may temporarily be coiled as indicated at 42 and tied to the strip.

There are a few wires, such as jumper wires, which by reason of the arrangement of the electrical devices on the front or back or both front and back of the panelboard need not and desirably do not pass through the wiring strip because to do so would substantially increase the total amount of wire. When this is the case, one or more wires may be cut to length and placed in position over properly designated lines on the template. Two such wires are indicated at 43, Fig. 3. To permit transfer of the wiring assembly to the panelboard, they may temporarily be tied to the wiring strip.

After all of the wires have been laid out in accordance with the wiring template, following in each case the lines and symbols thereon, the looped ends of the wires are detached from the pins 30 on the table as well as those on the dummies and transferred as a unit with the wiring strip to a panelboard equipped with all of the electrical devices which are rigidly secured thereto in their respective positions. The wiring strip or strips are then fastened to the board in their permanent positions by screws or bolts and the ends or terminals of the numerous wires connected to the said electrical devices. As each wire has previously been cut and preformed to its proper shape, it becomes a simple matter to connect each wire to its proper terminal.

When the wires are all in place on the board, places will be found where a considerable number of wires extend in side by side contact.- To hold them in place, simple metal bands may be employed to hold each group and because of the stiffness of the wires and because of the fact that they are supported by the wiring strip and by the terminals, the bands need not be fastened to the board by screws, the holes for which formerly were drilled in the board after assembly and the front of the board refinished to cover up the heads of the screws. In many cases because of the adequate support afforded by the wiring strips, bands are unnecessary for the wires.

We particularly wish to point out that with our improved construction and method of procedure, it is possible for the first time in panelboard construction: (1) to have a permanent, accurate record of the disposition of the wires on the back of the board; (2) to prepare the entire wiring assembly apart from the panelboard and apply it thereto as a unit; (3) to be able to make an exact duplicate of a panelboard at any time; (4) to give definite instructions to the user of such a board how wires thereon can be changed; and (5) to avoid having to depend upon the individual judgment and skill of the wireman. In addition to the above, much time and expense are saved in the manufacture. The template represents a certain cost but one which is very small compared to that of wiring a board without its use. If it is. necessary to wire two'or more identical panels, the same template can be used without removing the terminal pins and dummies from the table. Obviously, using the same template results in identical arrangements of the wires regardless of the time element. It will also be noted that by our method we simultaneously form a template of the wiring and also a permanent record there of. After its use as a template the drawing is stored for future reference the same as any other drawing. I

I We further wish to emphasize the fact that notwithstanding the great number of wires that are necessarily employed on these panelboards, the wiring assembly can proceed whether the panelboard is ready or not since the assembly of the wiring unit in question is an operation wholly separatefrom the actual mounting of the wires on the board. If the board is complete and ready for the wiring assembly, the work may be completed at once. If the board is not ready,

the wiring assembly may be stored by hanging it from one or more of the wiring strips. This means that the wiring assembly can proceed at a rate corresponding to the receipt of orders as distinguished from slack periods and other periods of intensive overtime labor and the expense incident thereto. Under our improved arrangement, far less trouble is experienced when any one or more of the electrical devices fails to materialize on time than with the prior system.

What we claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A panelboard comprising a supporting member, electrical devices mounted on the front side thereof, terminals for the devices extending through the member from the front to the back, a perforated wiring strip permanently mounted on the back of the member at one side of the terminals, which extends longitudinally thereof and rises above the surface of the back, a terminal block located at the back side of said member, and sets of circuit wires all located on the back side of the member connected to and leading from the terminal block, which sets are both threaded through the perforations in the wiring strip and supported by the walls thereof, a portion of each wire extending substantially parallel with and in proximity to the strip and the remaining portion thereof after being threaded through the strip extending from ate theterminal of one of said devices, said strips and wires forming a unit assembly.

2. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting member, electrical devices mounted on the front side thereof, terminals for the devices extending through the member and appearing at the back thereof, a wiring strip permanently mounted on the back of the member and having a greater number of perforations than there are wires and terminals, the body of said strip extending at an angle to the surface of the back, a terminal block located at the back of the supporting member, and insulated circuit wires leading from the terminal block, each of the wires leading from the block being threaded through a selected perforation in the strip which is aligned approximately with the terminal to which the free end of the wire is connected, each of said wires extending parallel with and in close proximity to the strip for a portion of its length and parallel with the supporting member for another portion of the length.

3. A panelboard comprising a supporting member, electrical devices mounted on the front side thereof, terminals for the devices extending through the member from the front to the back, a wiring strip permanently mounted on the back of the member and extending outwardly therefrom, said strip having a large number of perforations, the spacing of which is unrelated to the spacing of the terminals, electrical devices permanently mounted on the strip, circuit wires which are connected to certain of the devices on the front of the member and also to certain of the electrical devices supported by the wiring strip, said wires passing outwardly through perforations in the strip from one device in back of the member and inwardly through other perforations spaced from the first to terminals of another device which is mounted on the front of the member.

4. A panelboard comprising a supporting member, a perforated wiring strip permanently mounted onthe back of the member which also forms one wall of a wire-containing channel, electrical devices permanently mounted on the front of the board and also on the rear side of the member, terminals for the devices on the front of the board extending through it to the back thereof, circuit wires connecting the devices which are threaded through the strip and are located in the channel, and a protective cover means for the channel.

5. A panelboard comprising a supporting member, longitudinally extending means on the back thereof, a pair of spaced wiring strips mounted on the back of the member, each of said strips having a large number of perforations and with one of the means defines a wire containing channel, electrical devices mounted on the front of the memberwith terminals extending through it, other electrical devices in back of the member, some of which are mounted on the wiring strips, and circuit wires connecting devices in back of the member with devices mounted on the front thereof, said wires being threaded outwardly and then inwardly through the perforations in the strips and being located for a portion of their length in the channels.

6. The method of making a wiring assembly for a board upon which electrical devices are supported, which comprises preparing a full size drawing of the back of the board with lines thereon illustrating the positions of the wires to be mounted on the back of the board, utilizing the drawing as a template, shaping wires to positions registering with those of certain of said lines, securing the wires on a support substantially in their determined positions, removing the assembled wires and the support from the template, transferring them as a unit to the board, securing the support thereto, and connecting the free ends of the wires to the electrical devices.

7. The method of simultaneously making a wiring assembly for a board upon which electrical devices are supported and a permanent record of the assembly, which comprises preparing a full size drawing of the back of the board with lines thereon illustrating the positions of the wires to be mounted on the back of the board and symbols illustrating terminals for the wires, placing the drawing fiatwise on a support and utilizing it as a template, shaping wires on the template to positions registering with those of the said lines and terminating their free ends in positions registering with the symbols, holding the wires substantially in their assembled positions, removing the assembled wires from the template and transferring them as a unit to the board, and connecting their free ends to said electrical devices. 1

8. The method of making a wiring assembly for a board upon which electrical devices are supported which comprises preparing a full size drawing of the back of the board with lines thereon illustrating positions of the wires to be mounted on the back of the board, utilizing the drawing as a template, threading wires through a support to hold them in position and shaping the free ends thereof to positions on the template registering with those of certain of said lines, removing the wires and their support from the template, permanently mounting the support and the wires on the back of the board, and connecting the free ends of the wires to' said electrical devices.

9. The method of making a wiring assembly for the back of a board upon which electrical devices are mounted on the front thereof which comprises preparing a full sized drawing of the back of the board with lines thereon illustrating positions of the wires to be mounted thereon and symbols to indicate the terminals of the electrical devices, utilizing the drawing as a template, threading wires through a support first in one region thereof and then in another, shaping the wires extending through the support to positions registering with lines on the template and terminating them in positions corresponding to the symbols, removing the support and the wires from over the template, and finally transferring the support and wires as a unit to the back of a board, securing the support thereto and connecting the terminal ends of the wires to the electrical devices.

10. The method of wiring a panelboard having electrical devices mounted on the front surface thereof and wiring therefor on the back which comprises making a full size drawing of the back of the board with means thereon indicating the respective positions of the main wires and terminals of the said devices, utilizing the drawing as a template, temporarily placing a wire carrying support and also devices representing terminals of electrical devices over the template, securing circuit wires to the support, shaping portions of the wires to register with their respective positions as indicated by the template, terminating the ends of the wires in register with said devices, removing the support and wires from over the template as a unit, transferring the unit to the back of a panelboard, and finally fastening the support to the board and connecting the ends of the wires to the terminals of the electrical devices.

11. A panelboard comprising a fiat surfaced supporting member, electrical devices mounted on the front sidethereof, terminals therefor extending through the member and appearing on the back thereof, a wiring strip permanently mounted on the back of the member and extending therefrom in-a plane perpendicular thereto, said strip having a large number of perforations,

the spacing ofwhich is unrelated to the spacing of the terminals, an electrical device permanently mounted on the rear side of the member, and insulated circuit wires which are connected to the terminals of certain of the devices mounted on the front of the member and to the terminals of the device on the rear side of the member, portions of said wires passing back and forth through spaced perforations in the strip which are approximately aligned with the terminals and other portions extending parallel with a side wall of the strip, the walls of the perforations serving to hold the wires in their respective positions.

12. The method of simultaneously making a wiring assembly for a board upon which electrical devices are supported and a permanent record of the assembly, which comprises preparing a full size drawing of the board with means thereon indicating the respective positions of the terminals of the wires to be connected to the terminals of the devices on the front of the board, placing the drawing fiatwise on a support and utilizing it as a template, shaping wires on the template to positions in which their free ends substantially register with the said indicating means, holding the wires substantially in their assembled positions, removing the assembled wires from the template and transferring them as a unit to the back of the board, and connecting their free ends to said electrical devices.

13. The method of wiring a panelboard having electrical devices mounted on the front side thereof and terminals and wiring therefor on the back Side which comprises making a full size drawing of the board with means thereon indieating the respective positions of the terminals to the electrical devices, utilizing the drawing as a template, temporarily placing a wire carrying support over the template, securing wires to the support, shaping the loose end portions of wires and terminating them in substantial register with the indicating means on the template, removing the support and wires as a unit from over the template, transferring the unit'to the back of a panelboard, and finally fastening the support to the board and connecting the ends of the wires to the terminals of the electrical devices.

14. The method of wiring a panelboard having electrical devices both on the front and back surfaces thereof which comprises .making a full size drawing of the board with means thereon indicating the respective positions of the terminals of the devices to which wires are to be connected, utilizing the drawing as a template, temporarily placing a support over the template, permanently securing wires to the support, shaping the wires so that their end portions extend toward and terminate substantially at said indicating means, removing the wiring support and the wires as a unit from the template, transferring the said unit to the back of a panelboard, and finally connecting the ends of the wires to the terminals of the electrical devices.

GEORGE M. REED. ROBERT PAXTON. 

